Winchester civic chiefs set to freeze council tax for fifth year

WINCHESTER civic chiefs are due to meet to set this year’s council tax tomorrow night.

The ruling Tory group is proposing that the current rate, £126.27 at Band D, should be retained for 2014-15. It has been the same since 2010-11.

The government stipulated that any council which freezes council tax will receive additional funding – the equivalent to having set a one per cent increase on the 2013-14 level.

The county council, responsible for by far the largest part of people’s bills, was also due to confirm the same rate as last year when it meets today.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, portfolio holder for finance, said parking charges in Winchester district were also being frozen.

There were positive financial signs locally including business rate income and planning fees going up as well as better performance at The Guildhall, he told the overview and scrutiny committee on Monday.

The council is now hung following the defection of two Tories to the Liberal Democrats but no major last-minute political ambushes are expected.